, 1887-08-25
Our Japan Letter.
YOKOHAMA. July, 1887.

"a pau II NdtLA COuuti les anu HO-
In the southern portion Of the empire,
il is rather warm in summer. but to
the nOrthwaTd it is never uneomfor-
tably warm. The daily sea breezes
serve to temper the summers heat.
Still the moisture Of the atmosphere
makes it seem warmer than it really
is. During July and August, many
resort to the mountain villages or
take up their abode at the seaside
The most popular mountain re-
sort is Hakone There away up in
the mountains is a beautiful lake.
The emperor has lately had a sum
mer retreat built on its shore. In
the same mountains are numerous
hot mineral springs. At each of
these springs are mountain villages
and targe hotels. Here summer and
winter. many invalids resort. An
other favorite place is Stami. This
is seaside town at the base Of Ha-
kone mountains. 1t is famed FOR its
intermitant geyser. Every six hours.
with wonderful regularity, the boil
ing water and steam are elected high
into the air. This hot water is con
veyed to bath rooms in the numerous
large hotels for the use of guests.
Nikko is one of the three most
beautiful places in Japan. 1t is sit
uated in the mountains about Il
hundred miles to the northward of
Toxic. In addition to the beautiful
mountain scenery and braciDg atmos.
phere, kikko Is attractive on account
of its noted temples and the tombs of
two Tykoons. The temples and ad-
joining grounds are indeed marvels of
japanese taste and skill. A railroad
now takes visitors to within a few
miles of this popular resort. General
Grant visited this beautiful place
while he was in Japan. The Ameri-
can minister, Dir. Hubbard, went
there last month with his invalid
wife in the hope that the change of
air and scenery would restore her; but
disease had got too firm hold on
her system. There, in that charming
mountain retreat, her spirit took its
flight. What peaceful place IN
which to end ones days!
Your correspondent, although ia
piliar with all the summer resorts in
this part of the empire, has taken up
his temporary abode at native hotel
in sea S, de village near Yokohama.
Here in q comfortable room affording
fine view over the bay, the bracing
sea air is inhaled. Sea bathing is
enjoyed dd HbHum. This branch
of tho large bay was called Mississippi
bay by Commodore Perry, in honor
of one of his vessels. The high point
between here and Yokohama bay, he
called Treaty Point. These names
are still retained by foreigners. The
landlady of this hotel remembers vel
the coming of Commodore Perry.
fleet She was then young girl. Il
is interesting to hear her tell of tbs
great commotion caused by the ar
rival OF the foreign vessels. The
Japanese thought they came will
bad intent Ridiculous stories were
about foreigners. They were sup
posed to be entirely different being!
from Japanese; to be rough and un-
natural, and especially endowed will
the power OF exercising magic anC
witchcraft. These ideas are no long
er entertained, but foreigners, par
ticularly Englishmen, are still looked
upon as rough in manners. Among
such polite, gentle people as th'
japanese. this estimation OF foreign
ers is not unreasonable 1t is too
often the case that persons, who, il
their native lands, would be circum-
spect, cost aside all restraint on com
ing to these far off countries. The!
are not subject to Japanese law, ant
the laws of their home countries arr
not stringently executed here. Man!
Japanese have complained to me @
the partiality Of consular courts
They say that it is rare thing for
japanese to win a suit against for
eigner. But the day is not far dis
tant when foreigners residing herr
will haye to be subject to Japanes,
law. Japan is gathering strength
and influence and will ere long be il
position to demand obedience to he
laws from all residing in her super
vision. Japanses have one marke
virtue, that Of cleanliness. They arr
clean in their persons, in their homes
and in their food. A warm bath i!
taken once or twice each day
Dwellings are daily swept and scrub
bed. The unpainted wood work!
OF houses is bright with constan
scrubbing. The food is prepared
with the same scrupulous cleanliness
but many of the dishes require cul
tiva;ed taste to be appreciated. Ric,
is to the people of this country wha
bread is to u.s. Fish are abundan
and are of excellent quality. Beef i:
also largely used as are fowl, lob
sters, crabs, oystdrs, abalone an(
many other kinds of shell fish. Ever
the familiar clam is here, too. Among
vegetables are Irish potatoes, swee
potatoes, beans and peas of man.
kinds, onions, beets, cabbage, turnips
celery, asparagus and other native
tubers, apples, peaches, apricots
grapes. pears, plums, oranges, figs
pomgrana.es, persimmons, ounces
black berries, strawberries, rasp-
berries abound in addition to othe
minor fruits. In a land where al
these eatables are found one is no
likely to starve.
In native hotels there are no com
mon dining rooms Guests are as
signed to rooms Here they eat anC
sleep. The food is brought to th'
room on adiminutive table, all ex'
cept the rice and tea. The waitres.
brings the rice in a neat round Lie
covered box and dishes it out bow
full at time as required. The te'
comes in a small tea pot. Cream ant
sugar are not used with rice or tea
japanese guests generally takC
native rico wine at one of their daily
meals. 1t is weak liquor and doe:
not produce much intoxication
While drinking wine lady musician
is often employed to sing in accom-
paniment. When real good time is
desired dancing girls are also intro
duced. Japanese dancing is really a
pantomime performance. The hands
feet, the entire body are employed
to initiate person or to express some
well known sentiment.
Business calls me daily to the city.
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